Johnson confirms 'discussions' on tying wildfire aid to debt limit

[highplainsdem]

Source: Politico

House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed to reporters Monday there’s “been some discussion” of tying California wildfire aid to a debt limit increase, after GOP members raised the issue with Donald Trump in several meetings at the President-elect’s Florida resort this weekend.

The notion that Congress could make the release of disaster relief dollars conditional upon also agreeing to raise the debt ceiling is already facing pushback from some Democrats.

But many California Republicans, including Rep. Doug LaMalfa, said in a brief interview Monday they may have no choice but to pursue that option given the potential urgency around addressing the Los Angles fires, paired with the reality that the nation could default on its borrowing authority in a matter of months.

Linking the two issues together could bring a larger coalition of support to the table from both sides of the aisle and allow Johnson (R-La.) to deliver Trump a debt ceiling increase sooner rather than later.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/01/13/congress/johnson-wildfire-california-debt-limit-00197900

[maxsolomon]

1. Do not negotiate with terrorists.

No linkage. I'm sure Jeffries and Schumer will not fold on this hostage-taking.

[displacedvermoter]

2. I am not. Sorry

[maxsolomon]

4. Care to explain why?

Have they caved on such a linkage previously?

[displacedvermoter]

5. I have more faith in Jeffries than in Schumer.

I am glad you are confident in their resolve. Sincerely hope you are right.

[moniss]

3. Of course we saw no such concerns

when it was hurricane relief for Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina etc. or aid for Texas problems because of their crappy power grid.

[global1]

6. Upon Reading This OP - I'm Now Convinced That This Fire......

is the result of arson.

Now Tr**p and the Repugs have a reason to increase the debt limit.

And if it is not increased - they have a Party to blame it on.

[LauraInLA]

7. I'm guessing you're kidding or being sarcastic -- at least two of the fires appear tied to SoCalEdison's

power lines.

[BidenRocks]

12. I could see the fire from my house in the SFV

I am sick of all the misinformed and cruel responses.
Conditional aid? I will learn O Canada first.
Let's secede!

[LauraInLA]

8. Somebody help me, please -- I thought usually we Democrats aren't opposed to raising the debt ceiling --

it’s the right-wing that has complains about it every time it happens.

[maxrandb]

13. Dems believe in paying the bills we have already committed to

Not once did Dems demand anything to raise the debt ceiling, because paying the nations just debts is required by the Constitution.

Try telling your mortgage company you aren't paying your mortgage because it exceeds what you set as the limit.

America's debt is backed by the "full faith and credit" of the United Fucking States of America.

Why do Retrumplicans hate America and consider our country to be a "deadbeat"? Do you think America isn't good for what we owe?

No, it's the fucking Retrumplican Party that is behaving like drug-dealing mobsters.

Are you in favor of extortion?

Don't try to pin this shit on Democrats. Take you're right-wing talking points back to Fucks Snooze

[LauraInLA]

19. Excuse me?

[maxrandb]

20. "We" Dems

Are committed to paying our debts.

"We" Dems have NEVER held up emergency funding for Americans devastated by disaster, even if they are from Red states like KY, FL, SC, or TN.

"We" Democrats have NEVER demanded "quid pro quoi" to specifically screw over Americans.

"We" Democrats know that Retrumplicans wouldn't be "satisfied" with California, unless EVERY Dem in the state resigned and turned governance over to MAGAts.

So, it offends me that you seem to be implying that since "We" Democrats have supported unconditional raising of the debt ceiling in the past, we should capitulate to extortion this time.

You're post read like a sarcastic; "I thought Dems supported raising the debt ceiling", as if what the Retrumplicans are proposing is "normal".

[LauraInLA]

21. I know we are all on edge right now; my town is currently battling wildfires in addition to everything else.

I’m hoping we can practice kindness and patience with each other here, rather than attacking posters if we don’t understand or don’t agree with them. I wish this could be our safe space, but I guess I’m mistaken.

[Windy Apple]

9. So, now is the time

…to politicize the Fires ??!

[JustAnotherGen]

10. Typical

He's from a taker state.

I wonder what would happen if every Democratic Party member in blue states didn't file a tax return the next few years? I mean mist if us have no idea what a tax return is - especially since the 2017 Tax and Jobs scam.

Seriously - the theft? Its enough.

[Frank D. Lincoln]

11. Dems should close ranks, refuse to tie wildfire relief to the debt limit, and

saturate social and mainstream media with this message:

"We, the Democratic Party, will NOT cave to Republicans' twisted demand of denying wildfire relief to our fellow Americans unless we agree to raise the debt limit in order for them to provide more tax cuts to the rich."

[SouthBayDem]

14. If he wants Republicans to lose the 2026 governor election

worse than they already likely will, be Californians’ guest.

Fact: Arnold Schwarzenegger is the last Republican to win a CA statewide election. That was in 2006! (Unusual given Democrats’ gains nationally, likely due to a weak opposition candidate.)

[PortTack]

15. Newsom just needs to stay strong...they'll fold. The few congressional seats they have in CA will disappear

And those congress critters know it and won’t vote for it.

[Botany]

16. Now there is a man in need of a "tune up" to

.... address his thinking. How fucking
Christian of him. The Lord of Merciful Goodness wants to extort political concessions using fire victims suffering as leverage.

Make the GOP own their venal acts. Scum of
the world.

[EndlessWire]

18. It seems so simple to me.

You have a moral guide? Follow your heart. But, don't claim to be a Christian following a guy from thousands of years ago, and pretend that you are a follower. Inflicting cruelty on people you don't even know is not Christian.

[Javaman]

17. this is our future...cut funds to aid disaster victims and states...cut taxes for the rich...

they will then raid that money for disasters and funnel it to the rich.

the rich will then buy up all the burned land at penny's on the dollar.

then they will "hire" (not pay them a dime) the newly jailed immigrants to do the rebuild.